Chapter 243 243

Chapter 243 243
Elias

I held her while the tears came, brushing soothing strokes across her spine, murmuring whatever words came to mind. I don't even know if she heard them.
But I didn't need her to talk. I didn't need her to explain.
Because I knew these weren't tears of grief. Not fear. Not even rage. They were something else. The kind of tears that came when the weight you didn't know you'd been carrying finally slipped from your shoulders. Like an old wound finally breathing air for the first time.
I didn't say a word. I just held her, my chin resting lightly against her hair. She cried, and I was there. That was enough.
Eventually, her breathing evened out. Her body relaxed against mine. She pulled back and looked up at me, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her fingers.
"Thank you," she whispered.
I brought my hand to her face, my thumb gently brushing a tear from her jaw. "For what?"
"For being here. For knowing exactly what I needed. For holding me together when I felt like I might fall apart."
I didn't have the right words for how that made me feel. So I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll always be here, Maya. You never have to go through anything alone again."
And I meant every damn word.
"C'mon," I said, "let's go back to our babies."
I kept a protective arm around her waist as we exited the room. Agent Maxwell was waiting in the hall.
He nodded respectfully. "Thank you both for coming in today. Your testimony was incredibly helpful, Mrs. Sinclair. I know it must have been difficult to talk about it, but we're grateful you did."
Maya gave him a small, tired smile.
"Glad to help." she glanced up at me, a worried look in her eyes. "About Cameron…"
"Don't worry ma'am, he's in our custody and we'll make sure he doesn't bother you or your family ever again." The agent assured us and Maya flashed him a relieved smile.
That fucker was going to be too busy saving his own skin in a maximum security prison to bother us.
A couple of phone calls and calling in favors from the right people had made sure of that.
I allowed myself a moment of smug satisfaction.
"There is a possibility you might be called to testify in court," Maxwell was saying. "We can't say for sure yet, but we like to prepare all our witnesses ahead of time."
Maya took a steady breath. "I'm not looking forward to it. But… I'll do whatever it takes to make sure they're put away for a long time."
Maxwell's lips curved just a little. There was admiration in his eyes. "I don't think they'll know what hit them."
I shook hands with the agent, placed a hand on the small of Maya's back and prepared to leave.
"There's one more thing," Maxwell said. He glanced at his notes, then looked at me, an unreadable expression on his face. "This might sound odd, but… Margaret has been asking to speak with you."
Maya blinked. "Wait, what?"
I frowned. "With me?"
He nodded. "Yes. She's refused to answer further questions and is demanding a private meeting with you. She won't say why."
I exchanged a glance with Maya. "Are you sure she asked for me and not Maya?"
"She was very clear," he said with a shrug. "Specifically asked for Mr. Sinclair. Said she wouldn't talk to anyone else."
I shook my head, the anger low and simmering in my chest. Really, the fucking audacity of the woman. Still trying to play a game she'd lost a long time ago.
"Well, that's too bad for her." I said, in an unbothered tone. "I'm not interested."
Maxwell nodded once, brisk and professional. "Understood. I told her I'd pass along the request, but I'll let her know you declined."
And that was that.
We left the building soon after, sunlight spilling over us as we stepped outside.
The car ride back to the hospital was quiet. Maya slid into the backseat beside me, and I reached for her hand instinctively, running my thumb along her palm in slow, absent circles. She didn't speak, but I could feel her thinking. I could practically hear the thoughts tumbling through her mind.
And sure enough, a few minutes later, she broke the silence.
"Elias."
"Yeah?"
She was staring out the window. "Maybe… you should talk to her."
I turned to look at her. "You mean Margaret?"
She nodded, slow and thoughtful. "I know it sounds insane. And if you don't want to, that's totally fine. But… I can't shake this feeling. Something about it doesn't sit right with me. Why would she ask for you? I think it might be worth hearing what she has to say, if only to satisfy our curiosity."
I exhaled loudly, already predicting the game. "I can already guess what she wants to talk about. She probably plans to use my father's secrets as a get out of jail card."
"That's what I think too."
"She can shout it from the rooftops for all I care," I muttered. "I've got zero fucks left to give."
Maya smiled, leaned over, and pressed a kiss to my cheek. Her lips brushed against the rough stubble and lingered. "I know, honey."
She went back to watching the twins, while I stared out the window, deep in thought as I debated within myself. One the one hand, ignoring Margaret was a good way to subtly let her know she was well and truly fucked. A clean break, cold and dismissive.
On the other hand…
"I'll contact Agent Maxwell to set up a meeting." I said aloud and Maya looked up in surprise. I arched a brow at her, a smile playing on my lips. "Want to tag along?"
She shook her head and wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I'll pass, thanks. Besides, I feel she might take exception to my presence. But…" she added with a sly grin, "I wish I could see the look on her face when you tell her to go fuck herself."
I smirked, already picturing that. "I think that can be arranged."